Thinking of going from 90g single overflow to a 120 dual

Nirol

Registered Member
Thinking of going from 90g single overflow to a 120g dual. What are the pros and cons of this switch? Thanks!
 
I just went from a 55 to a 140. Same footprint as a 120.The shop I got it at gave me the same price as a 120. I made the switch 1 month ago and everything went pretty smooth. I had 70# of 5 year old live rock and added another 70# of Marco rock which is now beginning to get the coraline growth. I started with a new sand bed which I seeded with about 1 1/2 cups of sand from my old tank. Before I made the switch my NO3 was about 70PPm within one week the new tank was down to undetectable that was a quite a surprise. You might want to look at the price difference between the 60" 120 and a 60" 140.
 
If this is an aqueon I really don't see any reason to do this. My reasoning behind this is pretty simple. A 90 and a 120 are the exact same dimension with the exception that it is 6'' wider. Aqueon doesn't corner their overflows if I am not mistaken, they have them on the back wall. By the time the two overflows are on the back wall, you will lose most of your additional 6'' gain in width. If they are corner overflows, that is a different story. There really is no pro as far as I can see.

HTH :)
 
Go for it! That extra 6" in the 120, even if the overflows aren't in the corners, makes a world of difference for aquascaping.
 
Go for it! That extra 6" in the 120, even if the overflows aren't in the corners, makes a world of difference for aquascaping.

Yeah, but the overflows come off the wall like 4''. He would still be stuck pushing his rock closer to the front wall on both sides since the 120 is a dual and not a single. If you still have to buy a tank, get the 120 over the 90. If I had the tank up and running already, I personally would not change it for this reason alone. Just my opinion.

:)
 
Yeah, but the overflows come off the wall like 4''. He would still be stuck pushing his rock closer to the front wall on both sides since the 120 is a dual and not a single. If you still have to buy a tank, get the 120 over the 90. If I had the tank up and running already, I personally would not change it for this reason alone. Just my opinion.

:)

I see your point about the overflows. There is still some good space between the two overflows though which will allow for some serious rock stacking. But again I see your point on whether it would be worth upgrading to a 120 for this reason alone. Why do you want the dual overflows so badly?
 
Thanks everyone. Good discussion. My issue is not the 6 inches or the aquascaping. (and my 90 is down right now due to a move) But the issue is I was never very happy with the flow in the tank and always thought I'd be better off with a dual overflow. I have s special spot to reset the new tank but a 6 foot wde tank won't fit. I could do 5, but found a 120 (4X2X2) that has dual overfloows at a reasonable price. So do I get it or stay with the single overflow?
 
I just went from a 55 to a 140. Same footprint as a 120.The shop I got it at gave me the same price as a 120. I made the switch 1 month ago and everything went pretty smooth. I had 70# of 5 year old live rock and added another 70# of Marco rock which is now beginning to get the coraline growth. I started with a new sand bed which I seeded with about 1 1/2 cups of sand from my old tank. Before I made the switch my NO3 was about 70PPm within one week the new tank was down to undetectable that was a quite a surprise. You might want to look at the price difference between the 60" 120 and a 60" 140.

I would love to find a 60" 140... just can't find one around here....
 
I was also originally trying to decide b/t a 90 and 120. I personally think the 120 is one of the best sizes for a SW tank. Of course I will go 300 DD next :) I went with a 120 with custom overflow in the center of the tank. So much more room for aquascaping that way IMO. I hated the twin overflow 120 layout.

Link to build if interested in the plumbing etc.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1805337

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/4213004607/" title="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow by RVAE34, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/4213004607_0497a4a232_b.jpg" width="1024" height="684" alt="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/4213770178/" title="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow by RVAE34, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/4213770178_74ed793d35_b.jpg" width="1024" height="684" alt="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow" /></a>
 
A 120 is a very nice tank. Its (2) 2'x2' cubes so it is very nicely proportioned. The extra 6" depth makes a big difference.

As far as corner overflows go, like many things, they have their pros and cons. From a front view, they look very nice. The amount of back panel used up is very minimal. If the tank has much of a view from the ends, not so nice. You lose ~ 7' of the tank from the overflows and can see into them.
 
I was also originally trying to decide b/t a 90 and 120. I personally think the 120 is one of the best sizes for a SW tank. Of course I will go 300 DD next :) I went with a 120 with custom overflow in the center of the tank. So much more room for aquascaping that way IMO. I hated the twin overflow 120 layout.

Link to build if interested in the plumbing etc.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1805337

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/4213004607/" title="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow by RVAE34, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/4213004607_0497a4a232_b.jpg" width="1024" height="684" alt="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow" /></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/4213770178/" title="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow by RVAE34, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/4213770178_74ed793d35_b.jpg" width="1024" height="684" alt="New tank. 120 gallons with custom flow" /></a>

Great! I am reading your thread now.
 
Thanks everyone. Good discussion. My issue is not the 6 inches or the aquascaping. (and my 90 is down right now due to a move) But the issue is I was never very happy with the flow in the tank and always thought I'd be better off with a dual overflow. I have s special spot to reset the new tank but a 6 foot wde tank won't fit. I could do 5, but found a 120 (4X2X2) that has dual overfloows at a reasonable price. So do I get it or stay with the single overflow?

I had a 120 with dual overflows for six years and loved everything about that tank for a 4' tank. If you don't have a problem tearing down your 90 then I say go for it!
 
Yeah, the 90 is torn down already due to a move. Currently working on the "fish room" behind the tank wall where the tank will be. I hope to set it up as successfully as I did at the last home, but thinking I could improve things some...I have an opportunity to get this new tank at a good price even though I don't really need to.
 
Yeah, the 90 is torn down already due to a move. Currently working on the "fish room" behind the tank wall where the tank will be. I hope to set it up as successfully as I did at the last home, but thinking I could improve things some...I have an opportunity to get this new tank at a good price even though I don't really need to.

I agree with everyone else. If the 90 is down, get the 120.
 
If you are doing the tank in-wall then the corner overflows aren't as big of a deal. I wanted 3 viewing sides which is why I went the custom overflow.
 
I have a 120 with dual corner overflows and I like having the redundancy that comes with dual overflows. I'm running a Herbie-type set-up and feel safer knowing that if one overflow and emergency back-up get completely blocked, I still have another overflow and back-up to carry the load. I run Seaswirls over the back of the tank, which is why I have two extra holes in the overflows -- originally meant for the returns, but now used as emergency back-ups.

The 120 is a really nice size. The extra 6" may only seem like a few inches, but it makes a BIG difference.

Have you considered the Marineland DD 200 gallon tank? The dimensions are 48" x 36" x27" tall. Very nice.
 
Rvanano - Thanks. No the tank won't be in wall, but plumbed through the wall to the fish room.
 
D-Nak... exactly! I too run the Herbie silent overflow, but thats a good thought having the redundancy...I guess I was looking for flow and the Seaswirls are a good thought... I think this is more of a "flow through the sump than through the tank issue"

As for the Marineland DD 200... would be perfect...but at what price? Thanks!
 
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